Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D61/00—Processes of separation using semi-permeable membranes, e.g. dialysis, osmosis or ultrafiltration; Apparatus, accessories or auxiliary operations specially adapted therefor
  • B01D61/02—Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
  • B01D61/08—Apparatus therefor
  • B01D61/081—Apparatus therefor used at home, e.g. kitchen
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
  • B01D2313/18—Specific valves
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
  • B01D2313/24—Specific pressurizing or depressurizing means
  • B01D2313/243—Pumps
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
  • B01D—SEPARATION
  • B01D2313/00—Details relating to membrane modules or apparatus
  • B01D2313/90—Additional auxiliary systems integrated with the module or apparatus
  • B01D2313/901—Integrated prefilter

Definitions

• This invention relates to water purifiers and methods, and particularly to reverse osmosis water purifiers and methods. Even more particularly, the invention relates to reverse osmosis water purifiers of the compact, movable type adapted to rest on the counter-top in the kitchen of a dwelling and to be attached to a water faucet to supply water to be purified.
• the reverse osmosis water purification process has many advantages for use in the purification of water for drinking, cooking, etc., both at the municipal level and in the home, as well as in businesses and industrial locations.
• the process removes most salts, hydrocarbons and other contaminants, and it is capable of providing water with a high degree of purity.
• Another type of home reverse osmosis unit is smaller, movable, and is adapted to rest on top of the counter in a kitchen, for example, and to be connected deta ⁇ hably to the faucet in the kitchen sink to receive water to be purified.
• Such a unit is smaller and less expensive to manufacture and install than the under-the- counter unit, and can be moved easily from one location to another.
• Another problem with such prior devices is that the user has no easily visible, simple means of determining whether or not the purifier unit is working. Additionally, he has no simple, readily visible indication as to the purity of the water that has been dispensed, or as to the need for flushing or replacing the reverse osmosis membrane, or replacing one of the filters, or the need for repair of the unit.
• a counter-top reverse osmosis water purifier in which a pump is provided to dispense water from the purified water reservoir.
• the pump is an electric pump, driven by batteries.
• the unit is relatively compact, but has a dispenser spout near the top of the unit.
• the unit provides a relatively great height between the dispensing spout and the counter-top or other surface on which the unit rests and allows one to place relatively tall vessels underneath the dispensing spout on the counter-top, without making the unit unduly tall.
• an automatic conductivity test is performed each time a switch is depressed to operate the pump to dispense water.
• the conductivity test device indicates the conductivity of the water being dispensed, and thus provides a measure of its purity.
• means are provided to indicate whether the conductivity is above or below a level selected to provide a line of demarcation between water of acceptable purity and unacceptable purity.
• a red lamp lights when the conductivity is too high, indicating that the water has too many impurities, and a green lamp lights when the conductivity is below the pre-set level. If the red lamp is lit, the operator knows that either he or she must replace one of the filters in the unit, or must flush the membrane of the reverse osmosis unit, or replace the membrane itself, or have the unit repaired.
• the dispensing switch and the indicator lamps are provided at the top of the unit where they are easy to reach and see.
• the purifier unit is made relatively easy to assemble and disassemble for cleaning and service.
• the reservoir slides into a housing.
• a separate cover and a separate pump and battery mounting unit are provided. Each fits neatly with the other parts so as to make them easier to take apart without the use of any tools.
• a prefilter is provided to filter out large solid particles before the impure water reaches the reverse osmosis membrane, and a charcoal post filter is provided to filter the product water discharged by the reverse osmosis unit so as to ensure good taste and odor.
• a float valve in the reservoir is used to turn off the water supply when the reservoir is full, thus saving water as compared with some prior art devices.
• a diverter valve unit is provided for attachment to a faucet.
• the valve has one element which can be operated to selectively either allow tap water to pass straight through into the sink, for normal domestic uses of the sink and faucet, or to feed water to the water purifier unit.
• the diverter valve unit has a second member which can be adjusted to provide a drain outlet from the purifier with either a large size for flushing the membrane, or a small size to provide back-pressure for normal operation of the purifier. A difficult-to-use needle valve is not necessary.
• Figure 1 is a perspective, partially broken away view of kitchen counter-top and sink with a reverse osmosis water purifier of the present invention connected to the faucet and in operating position;
• Figure 2 is an end elevation view, partially in cross-section, of the water purifier unit shown in Figure 1;
• Figure 3 is a side elevation view, partially in cross-section, of the unit shown in Figures 1 and 2;
• Figure 4 is a top plan view of the unit shown in Figures 1-3;
• Figure 5 is an electrical schematic circuit diagram of an operating circuit used with the device of the present invention.
• Figure 6 is a schematic flow diagram showing the water flow through the purifier unit of Figures 1-3;
• Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the diverter valve of the present invention.
• Figures 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views taken, respectively, along lines 8-8 and 9-9 of Figure 7;
• Figures 10 and 11 are views taken along line 10-10 illustrating two different positions of one valve member of the diverter valve.
• FIG. 1 shows a water purifier unit 10 of this invention connected through hoses 34 to the faucet 52 of a kitchen sink 54.
• the purifier unit 10 rests on the countertop 14 in which the sink is mounted.
• a water flow diverter device 50 is connected onto the end of the faucet 52 and the hoses.
• the purifier 10 has a water dispensing spout 16, and a relatively tall pitcher 17 is shown resting on the countertop 14 underneath the dispensing spout.
• the purifier unit 10 includes a housing 12 resting on the countertop 14.
• the spout 16 has an outlet opening 18 located near the top of the unit.
• the purifier unit also includes a pure water storage tank or reservoir 20, and a pump 22 driven by an electric motor 24.
• the bottom wall of the tank 20 is shown at 26. *- >
• the unit 10 also includes a pre-filter 28, a charcoal post-filter 30, and a reverse-osmosis membrane module 32.
• water from the kitchen sink faucet 52 ( Figure 1) or other source of water to be purified is fed through feed hose 34a ( Figures 4 and 6) into the purifier through a float valve 40 ( Figure 3 and 6) to the pre-filter
• the water then flows to the membrane unit 32, and from the membrane unit 32 through the post-filter 30 and a stand-pipe 42 into the water tank 20.
• the pre-filter 28 filters out solids; the reverse osmosis membrane unit 32 removes salts, hydrocarbons, bacteria, etc.; and the charcoal post-filter filters out any remaining bad-taste/odor-producing substances.
• the resulting water has excellent taste and purity.
• an optional magnetic lime-scale reducer 45 is connected between the float valve 40 and the pre-filter 28 to further condition the water, if desired.
• the reverse osmosis process is a relatively slow process. Therefore, the unit 10 usually must be left unattended for a substantial length of time in order to fill the tank.
• the float valve 40 is provided in order to shut off the inlet water when the tank 20 is full. If the float valve malfunctions, a spill-tube 44 is provided to drain the excess water out of the unit through a drain hose 34c to the sink 54 ( Figure 1) .
• a pushbutton switch 36 is provided in the top of the unit to operate the pump 22 to dispense water through the outlet spout 16.
• a pair of light-emitting diodes (LED's) 48 is mounted in the body of the pushbutton 36.
• a conductivity probe 46 is positioned in the output water feed line 47.
• An electrical circuit ( Figure 5) is activated by the pushing of the pushbutton switch, simultaneously with the operation of the pump motor 24, causing one of the LED pair 48 to glow with either a green or a red light, depending upon whether the conductivity of the water being pumped is greater than or less than a pre-determined value. This value is selected to provide the line of demarcation between water of acceptable purity and unacceptable purity.
• the LED glows red the user knows that the water purity is too low, and that he must either flush the reverse osmosis membrane 32, and/or change one or more of the filter elements 28 or 30, or must have the purifier unit serviced.
• each of the housing 12, the reservoir 20, the cover 13 and a pump mounting plate 19, is a separate element.
• Each preferably is a molded thermoplastic resin structure, the housing being made of ABS plastic, and the reservoir being made of polypropylene.
• the reservoir has the shape of the housing 12 and fits inside of the housing in telescopic fashion.
• the plate 19 is oval in shape to conform with the shape of the housing, and has an upturned flange portion 21 around the edge which provides a ledge which fits down onto the top edge of the reservoir 20.
• the pump 22 is mounted on the plate 19, and a recess 23 in the plate provides a cavity for a pair of batteries 38 connected in'series. Actually, it is preferred to use four batteries to minimize the frequency of battery replacement.
• the cover 13 slides over the rim 21 of the plate 19, and over the top of the reservoir wall, as shown in Figure 3.
• Compartment 23 also contains an integrated circuit chip 82 ( Figure 5) and circuitry used to measure the conductivity of the water being dispensed.
• an O-ring seal 25 is provided to seal the mounting of the pump to the plate 19.
• the cover 13 When it is desired to replace the batteries, the cover 13 is removed to give access to the batteries. When it is desired to remove the plate 19 and the pump 22, one removes the cover 13, grasps a handle 21 attached to the plate 19 and lifts the plate, pump and batteries, etc., out of the unit.
• the pump 22 is a conventional centrifugal submersible pump .
• the reservoir 20 has a bottom wall portion 26 ( Figure 3) which is deeper than the remainder 26a of the bottom wall.
• the inlet 27 of the pump 22 extends down into the deeper portion 26 of the reservoir.
• the prefilter 28, the postfilter 30, and the membrane module 32 are all cylindrically shaped and assembled together as shown.
• a central longitudinal rib 31 is provided in the portion 26a of the bottom of the reservoir 20.
• Curved projections 33 extend downwardly from the bottom wall portion 26(a). The projections 33, and the projection 31 together form a curved receptacle for receiving and holding the post filter 30 and the pre filter 28 in position.
• a metal strap 29 encircles the three units
• the filters and the reverse osmosis membrane unit are attached to the bottom of the reservoir, and when the reservoir is removed from the housing, those units come with it.
• the reservoir and its attached filter units rests on three upstanding molded projections 39 and 41 in the bottom wall of the housing 12 (see figure 3) .
• the projection 41 is a single projection aligned on the vertical center of the housing as it is shown in Figure 2.
• the projection 41 mates with a projection 43 extending downwardly from the reservoir.
• Two of the projections 39 are provided, one of each on the left and right hand sides of the housing.
• the weight of the reservoir, the water in it, the filters, etc. is supported by three solid projections projecting upwardly from the base of the housing. Since the reservoir and its attached components merely rest upon the projections, the reservoir and the other parts are easy to remove from the housing for cleaning and servicing.
• the float valve 40 shown in Figures 3 and 4 is attached to an arm 49 and the float 51. These components operate in a known way to turn off the input water to the unit when the reservoir is full. This prevents continuous flow of water into the device, thus wasting water and causing the membrane to need flushing more frequently, a persistent problem in prior counter-top reverse osmosis water purifiers.
• the prefilter 28 and the postfilter 30 are conventional and will not be described in any detail here.
• a suitable reverse osmosis membrane is, for example, one of many spiral-wound cellulose membranes available from different manufacturers. However, other types of known reverse osmosis membranes also can be used, if desired.
• FIG. 5 shows the electrical operating circuit 80 of the purifier device.
• the pushbutton switch 36 is connected in series with the batteries 38 which are connected in parallel with the pump motor 24 and the conductivity test circuit 80.
• the conductivity test circuit 80 includes a conventional integrated circuit chip 82 containing a plurality of bistable inverting amplifiers 92, 94, 96, etc.
• the leads 88 and 90 from the conductivity probe 46 are connected to the input leads of one bistable amplifier 92 whose output is connected as shown to additional bistable amplifiers 94, 96 and 98 forming a part of the chip 82.
• the diode pair 48 consists of red light-emitting diode 86 and a green light-emitting diode 88 which are connected as shown in the circuit.
• An adjusting potentiometer 84 is connected as shown. By the adjusting the potentiometer 84, the level at which the red LED 86 is turned on and the green LED 88 is turned off is determined, thus setting the conductivity level of the water which is permitted.
• each bistable amplifier changes state when its input signal changes polarity.
• the resistor 84 and the resistance of the water as sensed by the test probe 46 together form a voltage divider network which changes the polarity of the input signal to the amplifier 92 when the water conductivity passes the pre-set level. This turns on the green LED and disable the red LED when the conductivity of the water is below the preset level, and turns on the red LED and disables the green LED when the conductivity is above the pre-set level.
• Each of the amplifiers has inherent hysteresis so that a "dead band" is provided to prevent "hunting" by the circuit when the water conductivity is near the pre-set level.
• the diverter valve unit 50 includes a valve body 53 with internal threads 58 at its inlet end which are threaded onto the externally- threaded outlet end of the water faucet 52.
• An orifice selector valve member 68 is rotatably attached at the opposite end of the valve body 53 or a stud 72 on a retaining ring 73.
• An optional aerator 57 is threaded onto the externally threaded lower portion of the valve element 68. The aerator 57 is conventional and aerates the water passing through the diverter valve.
• hoses 34a, 34b and 34c which convey water to and from the water purifier unit 10.
• the hose 34a is connected to the nipple 60 and delivers water under pressure from the faucet to the purifier unit to be purified.
• Hose 34b is connected to the nipple 62 ( Figure 8) is the "brine" hose which conducts impurity-laden water from the purifier unit to drain; that is, into the sink 54 through the diverter valve 50.
• the hose 34c ( Figure 9) is connected to the nipple 64 and conducts overflow water from the reservoir of the purifier to drain.
• the diverter valve unit 50 is provided with a plunger 56 which is pulled outwardly to the position shown in Figure 8 for operation of the -rater purifier unit, and is pushed inwardly to' the position shown in Figure 9 when it is desired to operate the faucet in the normal fashion to dispense water into the sink.
• the hole 59 connects with a chamber 61 formed by a horizontal bore in the valve body.
• the nipple member 60 is force-fitted into the bore
• the plunger 56 includes a shaft 63 with a groove into which is fitted an 0-ring 65. Threaded onto the external end of the shaft 63 is a knob 49. Threaded onto the other end of the shaft 63 is a piston member 67 with a
• Impurity-laden water returning through hose 34b passes downwardly through an outlet opening 71.
• the valve member 68 is rotated to the "operate" position, in which a member 70 with a relatively small orifice blocks the outlet path of the brine opening.
• the orifice provides the proper amount of back pressure for efficient operation of the reverse osmosis membrane.
• FIGs 10 and 11 are bottom plan views of the rotary valve member 68 in two different operative positions.
• the valve member 68 is shown in the position indicated in Figure 8 in which the .orifice member 70 is aligned with the brine outlet passageway 71.
• Figure 11 shows the member 68 rotated clockwise ninety degrees to a position in which an opening 78 is instead aligned with the brine outlet passageway 71.
• the diameter of the outlet opening 78 is much larger than that provided by the orifice member 70. In this position, the reverse osmosis membrane can be flushed and the water discharged from the flushing operation readily can flow out through the opening 78.
• the member 68 has an arcuate slot 76.
• a pin 74 extends downwardly from the bottom of the valve body 53 and fits into the slot 76.
• the pin 74 abuts against the right end of the slot to provide proper alignment of the hole 78 with the outlet passageway 69.
• the pin 74 abuts against the left end of the slot 76, while the right end of the slot 76 is aligned so as to open the passageway 69.
• the passageway 69 is open in both positions of the valve member 68 .
• valve member 68 provides a relatively easy method for changing the size of the orifice in the brine drain path so as to change from normal operation to flushing operation when it is desired to flush the reverse osmosis membrane of the water purifier unit. This contrasts very favorably with prior art needle-valve members which have been used for the same purpose. Such valves are relatively difficult and time consuming to operate, and can be more delicate and more easily damaged.
• the diverter valve member can be threaded onto the end of the faucet 52 and left there over a long period of time without significantly disrupting the use of the faucet in the normal way; that is, the diverter valve simply can be left in place rather than having to be removed and re-attached frequently.
• the water purifier device and method of the invention meets the objectives set forth above.
• the invention provides a compact, easy-to-use, relatively low-cost device which provides greater assurance of the purity of the water being dispensed.
• the dispensing of water into relatively tall containers is facilitated without making the purifier unit too tall.
• the use of automatic purity indicators not only quickly indicates the need for flushing and/or service, but also tells the user that the device is operating.
• the device conserves water is convenient to use.
• the diverter valve used is easy to adjust and does not require frequent removal from the water faucet.
• the device and method have the other advantages mentioned above, and may have still others which have not yet been appreciated.

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• Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Nanotechnology (AREA)
• Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
• Separation Using Semi-Permeable Membranes (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=25167847

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• 1985
  • 1985-11-08 US US06/796,296 patent/US4744895A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 1986
  • 1986-10-31 EP EP86907096A patent/EP0245445A1/de active Pending
  • 1986-10-31 WO PCT/US1986/002349 patent/WO1987002905A1/en not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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